The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

Summary

Summary

At 1730 on 10 September 2006, the Hong Kong registered bulk
carrier Creciente berthed in Port Hedland, Western
Australia, to load a cargo of iron ore.

At about 0245 on 12 September, the almost fully laden ship broke
away from the wharf under the influence of a strong ebb tide.

Despite the use of several tugs and the ship's engine, it was
not possible to manoeuvre the ship back alongside the wharf. The
harbour master decided to hold the ship in the deepest part of the
port's entrance channel until the next high tide.

By about 0615 on 12 September, the ship was firmly aground in
the channel and, at about 0950, it was successfully refloated.

The ATSB investigation found that the effective holding capacity
of the ship's mooring winch brakes was reduced by the number of
layers of mooring line on the winch drums and the poor condition of
their brakes. The investigation also found that it was highly
likely that the brakes had not been sufficiently tightened and that
the mooring winches were not effectively monitored in the time
leading up to the incident.

The investigation also found that neither the port authority nor
the ship's master had identified the possibility of the ship
breaking away from its berth and appropriately assessed the risks
associated with this potential hazard.

The report issues two recommendations and five safety advisory
notices to address the identified safety issues.